Electric-current distributer.



W. C. BRINTON, JR. ELECTRIC CURRENT DISTRIBUTER. APPLICATION FlLED SEPT. \0, 1915.

FIG. I.

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WILLIAM C. BBINTON, JR, 0F

KENNETT SQUARE,

PENNSYLVANIA, AssmNoR T0 PHILIPS-BBINTON COMPANY, OF KENNETT SQUARE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- 'IION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC-CURRENT DISTRIBUTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. '7, 1916.

Application filed September 10, 1915. Serial No. 49,994.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. BnI TON, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Kennett Square, county of Chester, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new an useful Improvement in Electric Current Distributers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved means for closing an electric circuit successively through a number of contact points.

The invention has one of its most useful applications when embodied in a distributer for closing the secondary circuit in a single spark ignition system for internal combustion engines having a plurality of cylinders, wherein a rotary conductor plate, contacting with a central common terminal post, closes the circuit successively through a number of binding posts arranged equidistant from the center of rotation of the plate and on different radii, the current jumping space intervening between the plate and each binding post as it passes the same in its rotation.

The invention is also equally applicable to a commutator wherein a rotating brush contacts successively with a series of circumferentially arranged binding posts.

The invention will be best understood by referring to the embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a distributer for the secondary circuit in a single spark ignition system. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged and somewhat diagrammatic face view of one of the binding posts. Fig. 4: is a similar horizontal sectional view of the same. Fig. 5 is a view, similar to Fig. 1, of a modified form of distributer embodying my invention.

The cam-shaft or timer-shaft (not shown) carries a head a of insulating material. The top face of this head is recessed to receive a distributer plate 6 which extends from one side of the axis of the head a to beyond the periphery of the head. The head is recessed to receive a leaf spring 0 secured at one end to the bottom face of the plate I) the short space, ner surfaces and the nearest part of the wall and thence bent downward and inward beneath said plate.

A cap (l of insulating material fits upon a fixed base (not, shown) surrounding the shaft. The cap carries the downwardly proectlng central common terminal post 0, whlch extends through the distributer plate and contacts with the spring (1. The inner vertical wall of the cap is curved upward and inward to a point just of the distributer plate I) and the ace upward and inward to merge with the lower face of the top of the cap. The binding posts ,1 are cast in the cap and are tioned that they extend within the plane of the inner wall of the cap, there being. howeyer, preferably, an inwardly projecting llIIl 9, extending aroundthe inner wall of the cap immediately under, and contacting with, the binding posts. The rim g is, however, not necessary, as the binding posts are held in position by their heads h The posts are each of substantially greater diameter below the level preferably so pos1- than the width of said rim g, or, m other words, project inward substantially beyond sa1d pro ectlons so as to leave a substantial rad1ally measured, between their inof the cap.

It is well known that, in devices of this character, the electric current will jump more readily from the distributer plate to a point than to a broad surface, but I secure equally effective current transmission by roughing off the inner walls of the posts 7 so as to present a number or a multiplicity of fine projections or ridges. I prefer to groove the post in the manner shown in Figs. 3 and 4 by subjecting it to the ordinary turning operation in a lathe, which leaves a roughened surface .70 convexly'curved on an are described from the center of rotation of the cap a.

In prior distributers where, after plate 5 passes the binding post f, the arc is drawn out, producing what is known as a followup spark, it has been difiicult to secure proper operation on account of the burning of the insulating material between the binding posts and because of the carbonization of the inner wall of the cap between the binding posts, which carbonized surface of course acts as a transmitter of electric current, with the obvious result of preventing between the binding posts.

the proper operation of the distributer. In my construction this result is entirely obviated, inasmuch as, the inner edge of the binding post is spaced a substantial distance from the inner wall of the cap, which cannot therefore be attacked by the followup spark.

Even in-those distributers where there is no follow-up spark, the described construction possesses marked advantages over that construction of distributer wherein the outer end of the plate I) travels under the binding posts. It is obvious, owing to Wear of the shaft or its bearings and other causes, that the shaft carrying the cap a cannot be relied upon to maintain its exact position. The result of any slight vertical displacement of the shaft is to vary the predetermined and necessary distance between the plate and the binding posts, thereby causing uncertain operation or rendering the dis-' upright surfaces of the tributer inoperative. In my improvement any ordinary displacement of the cap-carrying shaft does not produce this condition.

For this reason the modification shown in Fig.v 5 is equally available where there is no follow-up spark tending to produce carbonization of the inner Wall of the cap In Fig. 5 the construction is the same as in Figs. and 2 except that the binding posts f are arranged a little farther out relatively to the axis of the cap or the Wall 'of the cap is moved in relatively .to the binding posts, the lower end of each binding post being cut away for about half its diameter to produce an inner face flush or substantially so, With the inner wall ofthe cap.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: i

1. A device for closing and opening an electric current successively through a number of binding posts, comprising a cap having a top and a circular side wall, binding between the circuit terminal and the posts.

2. A device for closing and opening an electric current successively through a number of bindingposts, comprising a holder, a rotatable member within the holder, a distributing plate carried by the rotatable member, posts arranged in saline concentric with the axis of the rotatable member, the posts opposite the outer edge of the distributer plate in the latters rotation being roughened to insure the closing of the circuit over the space between said plate and the respective posts.

3. A device for closing and opening an electric current successively through a number of binding posts, comprising a cap, a rotatable head within the cap, a recess in the top of the head, a distributor plate secured to the top of'the head, a spring contacting with the said recess, a common terminal post carried by the cap and extending into said depression in contact with said spring, and binding posts carried by the cap and arranged to be brought successively into' circuit-closing relation with said plate in the rotation of said head. I i

In testimony of which invention, I have hereunto set my hand, at Philadelphia, on this 7th day of September, 1915.

WILLIAM C. BRINTON, JR.

plate and extending into 

